'Ask For Angela' Safer Venues Campaign Launched In WA
The Cook Government has launched the 'Ask for Angela' initiative in partnership with key industry organisations in the Perth and Northbridge Protected Entertainment Precinct (PEP).
The campaign is a simple way for licensed venues to offer practical help to anyone who is feeling vulnerable on their premises.
In the United Kingdom, 'Ask for Angela' has proven to be effective in helping to keep patrons safe when socialising at bars, pubs and clubs.
The campaign is named after Angela Crompton who was killed by her husband in 2012 near Norwich. It's now been rolled out around the world and in other Australian jurisdictions.
The idea is simple, but effective: patrons who are feeling unsafe at a licensed venue are encouraged to ask a staff member, 'Can I speak to Angela?' The staff member will know to discreetly help them out of the situation by moving to a safe space within the venue, arranging transport home or by calling police or emergency services if required.
The Cook Government, through the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, is working closely with the Australian Hotels Association WA, WA Nightclub Association and the Sexual Assault Resource Centre on the rollout of the campaign across venues in the Perth/Northbridge, Hillarys, Fremantle, Mandurah and Scarborough PEPs.
'Ask for Angela' will be introduced in the PEPs as part of the first stage of the campaign rollout. Feedback from venue staff and owners, along with advice from health and safety organisations and regional organisations will then be used to help develop location-specific content for venues throughout WA during the second stage.
Pubs, clubs, hotels, entertainment venues, sports clubs and restaurants can access more information and free resources via www.lgirs.wa.gov.au/ask-for-angela
As stated by Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia:
"Everyone deserves to feel safe on a night out. The 'Ask for Angela' campaign is a proven safety initiative driven by a practical, and common-sense approach that is easy for a range of venues to implement.
"We want to make sure everyone who visits WA's pubs and clubs, including tourists, have safety options, by encouraging everyone to look out for one another, and share the responsibility of creating safer venues.
"I encourage venue owners and managers to download the free training resources available, and make sure their team knows about 'Ask for Angela' and how they can support someone who is feeling vulnerable."
As stated by Minister for Women Simone McGurk:
"This is an important initiative to ensure that everyone can feel safe when they are in WA bars, pubs or clubs. It's a simple way to offer practical help for anyone feeling threatened or vulnerable.
"'Ask for Angela' is an international campaign to promote safety in licensed venues and was created after Angela Crompton was killed by her husband in 2012.
"This initiative gives staff at licensed premises a discreet way to assist someone who may be feeling unsafe and ensures that whenever someone asks for Angela, they receive the help they need."
As stated by Australian Hotels Association WA government relations and communications manager Angela Beechey:
"The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) WA strongly supports the rollout of the 'Ask for Angela' initiative and will work closely with members to ensure venues have the resources, guidance and staff training needed to implement it effectively.
"Licensed venues already play an important role in patron safety, and this initiative gives staff a simple, discreet way to assist someone who may be feeling unsafe without escalating the situation.
"AHA (WA) delivers Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training to thousands of hospitality workers across Western Australia each year, and we will work with government and training partners to embed 'Ask for Angela' awareness into existing RSA frameworks.
"Public safety campaigns are most effective when they are widely understood and consistently applied. This is a shared responsibility between government, industry and the community, and greater awareness will directly strengthen the impact of this initiative.
"Our members are committed to providing safe and welcoming environments, and AHA (WA) will continue to support venues through practical training, clear guidance and ongoing education as 'Ask for Angela' is rolled out across Western Australia."
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/
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